Houghton admitted City made life difficult for themselves in their bid to retain the League Cup trophy but with Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final trip to Sunderland looming, the captain has called for a response.

“We can’t dwell on it,” she stated. “It’s hard to take as it’s obviously a cup we have great memories with but full credit to Arsenal.

“They were the better team in the first half. We tried to pull it back in the second but it was too late.

“I think we gained a bit more control – Ellie Roebuck had about one save to make – and we had the possession.

“I just think it wasn’t our day. The only people who can put that right is ourselves.